Ironing board leg mounting



Feb. 14, 1950 L. L. DAUGHERTY, JR 2,497,753

IRONING BOARD LEG MOUNTING Filed Nov. 2'7, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l BYWW I ATTO R N EY Feb. 14, 1950 L. L. DAUGHERTY, JR 2,497,763

momma BOARD LEG MOUNTING Patented Feb. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IRONING BOARD LEG MOUNTING LueiusL. Daugherty; 112, Jacksonville, Fla.

ApplicationNovember 27, 194-5; Serial No. 631,144

11 Claims; 1

This. invention relates toan ironingboard, and I more particularly tothat. class. of ironing board having a pair of rear. legs and. a composite forward leg with suitable bracing means provided between the legs. lvlore particularly, the inventionrelates to that type of." ironing boardin which public. As a feature of my invention, eachof the rear legs. is adapted to be braced relatively to the ironing boardby brace levers that swing with the legs during movement of the legs to extended position, this swinging. movement being. adapted to bring the brace levers into. a. position so that they extend angularly upwardly transversely of the board from the legs to'the board. This arrangement. contributes. extreme rigidity as will become more apparent. after. a description of the invention.

More particularly, it. is a feature of" the invention that the brace levers form. an; X member with the upper ends o-f'the brace levers braced directly against? the ironingboard' in a position transversely displacedfrom the pivot axis of the legs. More particularly; it is a feature of themvention that the brace levers are secured with their outer ends to the legs and are then crossed with their inner ends secured to link members that are adapted to" move against theface of. the board and thereby support" and. brace the brace levers. Even more particularly, it isa feature of the invention that the links are adapted for'pivotal movement so asto spread the outer ends of the brace levers forming the. X, whereby to hold the legs braced in theirspreadifposition.

I have thus outlined ratherbroadly the more important'features of my invention, in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood; and in order thatmy'contribution to the art may be better" appreciated.

There are, of course, additional features of my invention that willbe described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims apa rear leg pivoting. bracket [2.

2. posesof my invention. It is. importanttherefore that the claims to be granted me. shall. be ofsufiicient breadth to prevent the appropriation of my inventionby those skilled in the art.

Referring now. to the drawings, Fig. l a perspectiveview showing the ironing board with the legs in. extended relation; that isin supporting relation to the board. Fig. 2'is an enlarged view of. parts of the ironing, board assembly. looking at Fig. 1. in the direction of. the arrows 2..-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3. is a View taken along, lines 33. of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view looking at the bottom of 'the board and showin the legs. and linkage folded thereagainst. Fig. 5. is. a View taken along lines 55. of. Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an endview taken substantially along the same lines as Fig. 3", but showing. the. brace. levers and. links. in. a position when. the legs are. intermediate the. foldedposition of Fig. 4 and the fully extended position. of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an elevation. of certain of the parts of. Fig. 6. illustrating the construction ofthe mounting means for the links... Fig. 8' is an exploded view of the links and-the means supporting the links for movementlrelativel'y to the. board.

Referring. now. more particularly to the drawings, the ironingboard. of my invention is designated by reference. numeral Hi, and supports thereon a forward leg pivoting bracket H and The forward bracket I I has pivoted, thereto at [3' and M a pair of legstruts 15 that form what I term a composite front leg Hi, all. as. those skilled in. the art will appreciate.

A toggle bar. IT is pivoted at [8 to a third bracket l9). supportedby the board [0; the other end. of the toggle bar being pivoted at 20 to a bifurcated lever 21. pivoted at 22 and 23 to the of Fig. 2". It will be. noted that when the composite leg I56 moves to its full line. p sition of Fig. 2 from its dottedline position of that same figure, the toggle bar IT is moved beyond dead centen In other words. the pivot axis 20 is moved beyond the straight. line connecting the pivots 22, 23 and the pivot l8. Therefore, in the full line position of. the composite leg I6 in Fig. 2, any tendency of the leg. to move to its dotted line position will be. resisted by the bifurcated lever 21 lying against thesurface of the limit stop 24. Therefore, it will be impossible for the composite leg Hi to be moved to its. position of Fig. 4. In

what I term a brace lever 32.

the brace lever.

order to move the leg 16 to its position of Fig. 4 it is necessary to break the toggle that exists between the toggle bar l1 and the bifurcated lever 2|. This is accomplished by moving the toggle bar I! to its dotted line position of Fig. 2, after which the swinging of the composite leg [6 in a clockwise direction about its pivots l3 will bring the forward leg l6 into its folded relation to the board illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

Pivoted to the rear leg bracket I 2 on oblique pivots 25 are legs 26, these legs being adapted to swing from the position of Fig. 4 to their ex-.-

tended and spread position of Figs. 1 and 3. A

4 cause of the presence of the short link 39 pivoted to the bracket 31, the links 34 not only move pivotally relatively to one another, but are swung bodily with the brace levers 32 and the legs 26 into a position juxtaposed or against the bottom of the board l0.

Preferably, the ends 32a of the brace levers 32 are cut angularly so that said surfaces 32a may lie physically against the board, but actually, it is possible to obtain the same effect by having the links 34 lie against the board and with the brace levers 32 braced relatively t the board pair of rods 2"! are pivoted at 28 to the legs 26,

the other ends of the rods 21 being pivotall secured on a bolt 29 that is adapted to secure together the leg struts of the composite forward leg l6. The use of the rods 21 for bracing the legs relatively to one another and for simultaneous movement of the legs into and out of extended position will, of course, be quite apparent to those skilled in the art.

Secured to each leg 26 is a small bracket 30, and pivoted to each bracket 3|] about a rivet 3! is That end of each brace lever 32 that is pivoted to a bracket 33 on the axis of a rivet 31 I term the outer end of The pair of brace levers 32 are adapted to cross, and where they cross they are pivoted to one another about a rivet 33 that is parallel to the rivets 3].

At that end of each brace lever 32 opposite its outer end, and hereinafter called the inner end, I pivot what I term a link 34. Each link 34 is pivoted to its brace lever 32 by means of a rivet 35, the pair of rivets 35 being parallel to rivets 3i and 33. The two links 34 are then pivoted to one another through a rivet 36 that is parallel to the rivets 3|, 33,

and 35 already indicated.

It is now quite obvious that swinging movement of the rear legs 26 will effect a spreading of the brace levers 32 because of their X relationship best illustrated in Fig. 4, and because of the arrangement of the links 34. This takes place as the brace levers swing bodily with the legs 26. Through means presently to be described, it will 'be shown how the links 34 are adapted also to be spread into a position wherein they lie along a straight line that is transverse of the board.

Thus, as best illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8, there is secured to the board an L-shaped bracket 31 and pivoted to this bracket on a pivot axis 38 lar arrangement, a swinging movement of the legs from the position of Fig. 4 toward the extended position of Fig. 1 will bring the brace levers 32 and links 34 into the intermediate position of Figs. 6 and 7. In that position of the parts it will be noted that the links 34 have already moved into a position wherein they are about to assume a straight line relationship with the X formed by the brace levers already somewhat spread.

The further swinging of the legs '26 will cause a lug 34a of one of the links 34 to ride into a .notch 34b of the other link 34 as the legs assume their fully extended and spread position of Figs. 1 and 3. It is in Fig. 3 that the straight line relationship of the links 34 is best illustrated.

The movement of the links into this straight line position was made possible by their pivotal relationship relatively to the pivot member 4|.

through the intermediary of the pivot rivets 35, all as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In dotted lines in Fig. 8, extensions 34c are shown on links 34, these extensions being adapted to lie against the board where the links 34 rather than the ends 32a of brace levers 32, impinge against the board.

Because of the particular relationship of the parts, it will be seen that the legs 26 in the position of Fig. l are braced absolutely against collapse laterally or transversely of the board [0, this being very efiective because of the X relationship of the brace levers 32 and their positioning in braced relationship against the board itself or through the intermediary of links 34. It will also be noted that the brace levers are incapable of movement relatively to the board transversely thereof because of the arrangement of the links 34. Of course, any swinging movement of the legs 26 clockwise on their pivots 25 from Fig. 1 is impossible because of the connection between the said legs and the forward composite leg l6. Swinging movement in a counter-clockwise direction of the legs is, of course, prevented by the bracing effect of the brace levers 32, the said brace levers preventing also any transverse yielding of the said legs as already set forth.

I believe the construction, utility, and operation of my invention will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I now claim:

1. In an ironing board, a pair of legs, means pivoting said legs relatively to said board on pivot axes substantially transverse of said board for swinging movement longitudinally of the board into an extended position and into a retracted position against the board, a brace lever pivoted at its outer end to each of said legs for swinging movement therewith, said brace levers crossing one another to form an X, means pivoting said brace levers to one another where they cross, a link pivoted to the inner end of each of said brace levers, mounting means mounting said links relatively to the board for swinging movement whereby the brace levers will swing with said legs at one end and with said links at their other ends, said links swinging on said mounting means toward the board when said legs are extended and with said brace levers thereby braced between said board and said legs.

2. In an ironing board, a pair of legs, means pivoting said legs relatively to said board on pivot axes substantially transverse of said board for swinging movement longitudinally of the board into an extended position and into a retracted position against the board, a brace lever pivoted at its outer end to each of said legs for swinging movement therewith, said brace levers crossing one another to form an X, means pivoting said brace levers to one another where they cross, a

link pivoted to the inner end of each of said brace levers, mounting means mounting said links relatively to the board for swinging movement :wherebyathe :brace levers willswing'with said iegs uat'oneend and 'withsaid links at their'iother eendszmea-ns wherebysaid links pivot relatively rto said mounting means so that their". pivots with said levers may assume a line position parallel =to-=said board, said links swinging on said mounting'meansiand' pivoting relatively thereto toward the-board whensaid legs-are extended and with said brace levers thereby braced :between said board and-said legs.

3. In an ironing board, a pair of legs, means vpivotingsaid legs relativelyto said board onpivot waxes substantially transverse of said .board for swinging movement longitudinally of the board I rintoaan extended position and into aretracted .position against the board,-abrace lever pivoted .atlitsouter end to each of-said legs for swinging movement therewith, said brace levers crossing one another to form means: pivoting said .braceelevers tooneanother where they cross, a link pivoted to the inner end of each ofsaid brace lever-amounting means mounting said links relatively to-the board for swinging movement substantiallyhparallel to the ,direction of swinging of said-leg-whereby the brace levers will swing with-said legs .at one end and with said links at their-other ends, saidswinging movement bringing said brace levers into a position wherein they .are :braced between said board and said legs and arelheldby said links against movement transverse of said board.

4. In .an-ironing board,,1a pair of legs,-means :pivotingsaid legs relatively to said board on pivot axes substantially transverse of said board for swinging movement longitudinally of the board into an extended position and into a retracted position against the ;board, 'a brace lever pivoted at its outer end to each of said legs for swinging movement therewith, "said brace levers crossing one another to form an X, meanspivoting said brace levers to one another where they cross, a link pivoted to the other end of each of said .brace levers, a pivot memberto whichsaid links are; pivoted, means mounting said pivot member "for swinging movement on said board substanltia'llyiparallel to the-swinging movement of, said "legs, the simultaneous'swinging movement of said legs and pivot'member acting to swing and pivot "said'brace levers-"and links whereby said legs are extended with said legs braced between the legs and the board and said links holding said brace levers against movement from bracing position.

5. In an ironing board, a pair of legs, means pivoting said legs relatively to said board on pivot axes substantially transverse of said board for swinging movement longitudinally of the board into an extended position and into a retracted position against the board, a brace lever pivoted at its outer end to each of said legs on an axis substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis of said legs whereby said brace levers swing bodily with said legs, said brace levers crossing one another and pivoted to one another at the point of crossing, a pair of links pivoted to each other and pivoted at their outer ends to the inner ends of said brace levers, all of said pivots being substantially parallel to the pivots between said brace levers and legs, a pivot member supporting the pivot between said two links, means mounting said pivot member for swinging movement on said board substantially parallel to the swinging movement of said legs, the simultaneous swinging movement of said legs and pivot member acting to extend said legs from said board and to bring said links against the board and :transverselythereof with said ..brace levers in X relation and extending between said links and .alegs in bracing "position.

6. In anironingszboard, a-pair-of legs,:means pivoting, said legsirelativelyto saidiboard on pivot ,axes substantially transverseofisaid board for zswinging movementlongitudinally of the *board ainto-an:extendedposition and into a retracted ,position againstthe board, a brace lever pivoted =11)? substantially perpendicular to the-pivot axis of said legs wherebysaid brace levers swing bodily -.-with said legs, said bracelevers crossingone an- 'other and pivoted to one another at the point ;of crossing, a pair-of links pivoted at one end atits outerend to-each of :said legs on an axis thereof to one another and at their opposed ends ltoithe inner "ends of said brace levers, all of said -,piv.ots being substantially parallel-to the pivots between said brace levers and legs, and means pivoting said links on a horizontal axis transverse .of said board for movement bodily with said legs andbra-ce levers while said brace levers and links pivot to one another, whereby to bring said linksintoa position transverse of said board with said bracelevers braced between said legs and board while held by said linksagainst transverse movement relatively to said board.

7. Inan ironing board, a pair of legs, means pivoting said legs relatively to said board on pivot axessubstantially transverse of said board for swinging movement longitudinally of the boardinto an extended spread position andinto a retracted position against the board, :a brace lever pivoted at its outer end to each of said .legs on .anaxis substantially perpendicular to thewpivotcaxis of said legs whereby said brace levers swing bodilywith said legs, said'brace lev- ,at their opposite ends to theinner ends of said brace'levers,.all of said pivots being substantially parallel to thepivots between said bracelevers .andlegs, .a'bracket on said board, a shortlink pivoted to said bracket for movement on a horizontal axis transverse of said board, a pivot member supporting the pivot between the .two links and said pivot member pivoting on said short link and with said shortlink relatively to said bracket for swinging said links bodily with said legs and brace levers while said links pivot relatively to one another, whereby to bring said links into a position transverse of said board with said brace levers braced between said legs and board while held by said links against transverse movement relatively to said board.

8. In an ironing board, a pair of legs, means pivoting said legs relatively to said board on pivot axes substantially transverse of said board for swinging movement longitudinally of the board into an extended position and into a retracted position against the board, a brace lever pivoted at its outer end to each of said legs for swinging movement therewith, said brace levers crossing one another to form an X, means pivoting said brace levers to one another where they cross, a link pivoted to the inner end of each of said brace levers, mounting means mounting said links relatively to the board for Swinging movement whereby the brace levers will swing with said legs at one end and with said links at their other ends, said links swinging on said mounting means to bring the inner ends of said brace levers against the board when said legs are extended and with enemas said brace levers thereby braced between said board and said legs.

9. In an ironing board, a pair of legs, means pivoting said legs relatively to said board on pivot axes substantially transverse of said board for swinging movement longitudinally of the board into 'an extended position and into a retracted position against the board, a brace lever pivoted at its outer end to each of said legs on an axis substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis of said legs whereby said brace levers swing bodily with said legs, said brace levers crossing one another and pivoted to one another at the point of crossing, a pair of links pivoted to each other and pivoted at their outer ends to the inner ends Y of said brace levers, all of said pivots being substantially parallel to the pivots between said brace levers and legs, a pivot member supporting the pivot between said two links, means mounting said pivot member for swinging movement on said board substantially parallel to the swinging movement of said legs, the simultaneous swinging movement of said legs and pivot membe! acting to extend said legs from said board and to bring said links into juxtaposition to said board and transversely thereof with said brace levers in X relation and extending between said links and legs in bracing position with the inner endsof said brace levers abutting the board.

10. In an ironing board, a pair of legs, means pivoting said legs relatively to said board on pivot axes substantially transverse of said board for swinging movement longitudinally of the board into an extended position and into a retracted position against the board, a brace lever pivoted at its outer end to each of said legs on an axis substantially perpendicular to the pivot axes of said legs whereby said brace levers swing bodily with said legs, said brace levers crossing one another and pivoted to one another at the point of crossing, a pair of links pivoted at one end thereof to one another and at their opposed ends to the inner ends of said brace levers, all of said pivots being substantiall parallel to the pivots between said brace levers and legs, and

means pivoting said links on a horizontal axis transverse of said board for movement bodily with said legs and brace levers While said brace levers and links pivot to one another, whereby to bring said links into a position transverse of said board with the inner ends of said brace levers in contact with the board while held by said links against transverse movement relatively to said board.

11. In a ironing board, a pair of legs, means pivoting said legs relatively to said board on pivot axes substantially transverse of said board for swinging movement longitudinally of the board into an extended spread position and into a retracted position against the board, a brace lever pivoted at its outer end to each of said legs on an axis substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis of said legs whereby said brace levers swing bodily withsaid legs, said brace levers crossing one another and pivoted to one another at the point of crossing, a pair of links pivoted at one end thereof to one another and at their opposite ends to the inner ends of said brace levers, all of said pivots being substantially parallel to the pivots between said brace levers and legs, a bracket on said board, a short link pivoted to said bracket for movement on a horizontal axis transverse of said board, a pivot member supporting the pivot between the two links, and said pivot member pivoting on said short link and with said short link relatively to said bracket for swinging said links bodily with said legs and brace levers while said links pivot relatively to one another, whereby to bring said links into a position transverse of said board with the inner ends of said brace levers in contact with the board while held by said links against transverse movement relatively to said board.

LUCIUS L. DAUGHERTY, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 1 Date 924,945 Stevenson June 15, 1909 1,885,915 Kalgren Nov. 1, 193 2,187,607 Keller Jan. 16, 1940 2,198,608 Flagstad Apr. 30, 1940 2,220,896 Flagstad Nov. 12, 1940 2,234,144 Johannsen Mar. 4, 1941 

